AT&T-backed Video Franchising Bill On Way To Michigan Governor

December 14, 2006

Legislation is on the way to Michigan's Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm that would streamline approval of local video franchising rules in that state. Governor Granholm has indicated she will sign the bill.

Passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate and House, the measure would perit new video services providers to bypass local franchising boards by negotiating statewide franchisees. This would differ from the current policy of requiring each of these providers to separately negotiate with the regulatory authority in each jurisdiction for which they intend to offer service.

AT&T has been this measure's prime mover. Intending to invest $620 million in building an enhanced fiber network in Michigan, it hopes to carry video signals over that network.

Google had been urging that the measure pass only if net neutrality provisions were included. Yet the version of the bill on the way to Granholm does not include any specific net neutrality language.